Eye Fancy You

Cut three pieces of bead backing with approximate dimensions of 1 1/2 x 2 inches for each. On the first piece, trace around the 18x10.5mm eye fancy stone. We used a white colored pencil to mark the black bead backing. Set this piece aside for now.

On the second piece of bead backing, cut a hole in the center about the same size as the iris of the eye. Center this piece on top of the third piece of bead backing. Fill the cut-out with 5-minute 2-part epoxy and center the crystal eye in the hole. Do not fill the hole so much that the glue seeps out beyond the hole. You want to be able to stitch through the layers of backing without running into adhesive. Press and hold the eye until it will hold on its own. Allow to dry.

Cut your first piece of backing in half from point to point of the eye shape you traced. Cut out the eye shape from the tracing on both halves. It is better to cut it out in stages, a little at a time, than to cut too much. You want the two pieces to fit snug around the crystal eye. Stitch the two pieces together at each point of the crystal eye through all three layers of bead backing.

Add an outline of TOHO 11/0 bead rounds and 15/0 bead rounds in opaque shiny jet black around the eye using the two-seed-bead backstitch. We used about ten 11/0 seed beads for the outside corner of the eye and then switched to using 15/0 seed beads.

Two-Seed-Bead Backstitch Tutorial

Using fine, sharp scissors, cut the first layer of bead backing away, right up to the beads. Be careful not to cut any threads.

Add an outline of fire-polished 2mm beads in silver to the top half of the eye using the two-seed-bead backstitch. Then, add an outline of TOHO 11/0 bead rounds in matte sage/pewter to the bottom half of the eye using the two-seed-bead backstitch.

Add an outline of TOHO 15/0 bead rounds in galvanized aluminum above the row of fire-polished beads using the two-seed-bead backstitch. Add an outline of TOHO 15/0 aqua lined yellow bead rounds below the row of sage/pewter TOHOs using the same stitch.

Cut the second layer of backing away up to the beads, making sure not to cut any threads.

Add an outline of fire-polished 2mm beads in blue metallic suede around the whole eye using the two-seed-bead backstitch.

Cut the last layer of bead backing up to the beads.

With the TOHO 11/0 nickel-plated silver bead rounds, create a brick stitch edge around the bead embroidery.

Beaded Edge on Embroidered Bezel Tutorial

Cut a piece of suede or other backing the same size as the beaded piece. Add this backing to the back of your embroidered piece, using the brick stitch edge to stitch through.

Add a picot edge to the brick stitch edge using TOHO 15/0 metallic dark navy iris bead rounds.

Picot Edge Tutorial

Secure your thread by weaving through existing beads to tie it off and then trim your thread.

Bead Weaving Basics: Starting, Adding, and Ending Thread

Glue a pin back to the back of your piece and allow to dry.

List of Components
4775 18 x 10.5mm Eye Fancy Stone Crystal CAL V Blue (4775-BLUCALV18, qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 11/0 Opaque Shiny Jet Black (TBRD11-49, qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 15/0 Opaque Shiny Jet Black (TBRD15-49, qty 1)
Fire-Polished Bead 2mm Silver (100pc Pack) (CFP-SLV2, qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 11/0 Matte Sage/Pewter (TBRD11-512F, qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 15/0 Galvanized Aluminum (TBRD15-558, qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 15/0 Aqua Lined Yellow (TBRD15-952, qty 1)
Fire-Polished Bead 2mm Blue Metallic Suede (100pc Pack) (CFP-MESU-BLU2, qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 11/0 Nickel-Plated Silver (TBRD11-711, qty 1)
TOHO Bead Round 15/0 Metallic Dark Navy Iris (TBRD15-88, qty 1)